Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1916-1920, Part 14

Author: Acton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1916
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 512


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1916-1920 > Part 14


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Surgical dressings .22,676 Refugee garments 186


Knitted articles 1,368 Comfort kits 50


Hospital supplies 1,012


Sixty-six soldiers and sailors from West Acton, South Ac- ton, and Boxboro, have been supplied with knitted articles. In 1917, thirty-five Christmas boxes were sent and in 1918, Christ-


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mas cards were sent to all our boys in the service. Two collec- tions of clothing for Belgian sufferers were attended with gen- erous response. A linen drive netted 121 articles, thirty-six more than were asked for. A home service committee has at- tended to the needs of soldiers' families.


In the month of May, 1918, the Red Cross Second War Fund Drive was inaugurated and the country was asked to subscribe $100,000,000. The quota of West and South Acton


was fixed at $1,000. The actual amount raised was nearly twice, being $1,993. The work for these districts was in charge of Mr. B. E. Hall, with Mrs. Ella Feltus captain of the West Acton team, and Mr. Fred W. Nagle of the South Acton team .. Numerous solicitors were a part of each district's organiza- tion. In the drive for membership in December, 1918, the goal was fifty percent of the population. This was not quite at- tained, but 588 names were obtained, a percentage which was cqual to and in excess of many surrounding towns. Mr. B. E. Hall was also in charge of this drive, with Mrs. R. Gates Baker of the West district, and Miss Clara Sawyer of the South dis- trict as captains, assisted by numerous solicitors. On account of sickness, Mrs. R. Gates Baker was obliged to give up the work before the completion of the drive and Miss Jennie Dur- kee filled the vacancy. The present membership is 588. We have no information relative to any drive previous to the one of May, 1918.


All the pupils of the public schools were enrolled as mem- · bers of a Junior Red Cross and they produced 778 articles, consisting of gun wipes, weight bags, pin balls, comfort pil- lows and trench candles.


Facts relating to the Acton Center Branch are not as com- plete as is desirable, owing to the absence from town of its president while this report was in process of preparation. The following facts are to be noted, however : This branch has collected from all sources $2,432.62. It has expended $2,141.54. It has made and distributed 1,397 garments, of which a large number were knitted articles. In the 1918 drive for funds, $745 were raised; about $250 more than its allotment or quota. This drive was in charge of Mrs. George S. Tucker, Jr., and Miss Charlotte Conant, assisted by solicitors. In the Christmas 1918 drive for members, 244 were secured and this is its pre- sent membership. This drive was in charge of Mrs. Albion Millan and Miss Charlotte Conant, assisted by solicitors.


An Acton Center Junior Red Cross was also organized, with a membership of 77. It has raised $49.03, and disbursed $19.66. It has hemmed forty-six handkerchiefs, knitted one afghan and three washcloths, made ten fracture pillows, a bun- dle of fifty gun wipes, a pair of wristers and a pair of stock- ings. The work was in charge of Miss Ella L. Miller.


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From the very beginning, both the West and South Branch and the Center Branch have had the most efficient and enthusiastic leadership. Mrs. Rachael Haynes of the West and South Branch, and Mrs. Gertrude Daniels of the Center Branch have each been at the head of their respective organi- zations from their beginning. Mrs. Alberta Tuttle as vice chairman of the West and South Branch, has given her special attention to the work carried on in South Acton. All of these ladies have shown unfailing devotion and their work has been a great inspiration to everyone.


THE FIRST AND SECOND LIBERTY LOANS


It has been found impossible to get data respecting these two loans which was full and accurate enough to be of value. Subscriptions were received by F. K. Shaw, M. D., represent- ing Concord National bank, and Mr. Ralph Hastings, repre- senting the North Middlesex Savings bank.


THIRD LIBERTY LOAN


The quota for the town of Acton was $57,000. The num- ber of subscribers and the amounts from each precinct are as follows :


Number of subscribers, Precinct 1 .. 153. Amount, $36,600


Number of subscribers, Precinct 2 .. 140.


Amount, 46,900


Number of subscribers, Precinct 3 .. 251. Amount, 36,500


Total


544 $120,000


The committee in charge of this work were F. K. Shaw for Precincts 1 and 3, and Ralph Hastings for Precinct 2. Mrs. R. Gates Baker was in charge of the canvassing for the entire town and was assisted by Mrs. George S. Tucker, captain of Precinct 1; Miss Clara Sawyer, captain Precinct 2, and Mrs. Ruth Gould, captain Precinct 3. A large number of solicitors assisted in the canvass. Honor flags showing that the town had reached its quota were unfurled in each precinct upon the last day of the drive. Mr. C. L. Crank, attorney general of Colorado, gave stirring addresses in each precinct, and Corpo- ral F. E. Evans and Corporal S. A. Briggs of the Depot Bri- gade, 76th Division, played several duets upon cornets. A star showing that Acton had doubled its quota was afterward added to the flag.


FOURTH LIBERTY LOAN


The quota for Acton was $94,000. The amount and num- ber of subscribers by precincts is as follows :


Number of subscribers, Precinct 1 .. 185. Number of subscribers, Precinct 2 .. 300. Number of subscribers, Precinct 3 .. 238.


Amount, $53,200


Amount, 53,800


Amount, 42,000


Total


723


$149,000


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The drive for this loan was in charge of Mrs. R. Gates Baker, chairman, with Mrs. George S. Tucker, captain Precinct 1 ; Miss Clara Sawyer, captain Precinct 2, and Miss Jennie Dur- kee, captain Precinct 3. A large number of solicitors assisted in the canvass. Honor flags were also unfurled in each pre- cinct, showing that Acton had met its quota and a blue star was presented to be placed upon the flag raised in the center of the town, showing that the town had doubled its quota. The solicitors were untiring in their efforts. In some cases several calls were made upon subscribers for their conveniences.


WAR SAVINGS STAMPS


The following facts relating to the War Savings Stamps which have been sold in Acton does not convey an absolutely accurate impression concerning the matter, due to the fact that the rural free delivery routes running both into Acton and out of Acton have sold considerable amounts and the record of these amounts have not been segregated. By precincts the number of subscribers, the number of stamps of a maturing value of five dollars each, and the maturity value of the aggre- gate is as follows :


Precinct 1-Number of subscribers 114


Precinct 2-Number of subscribers 311


Precinct 3-Number of subscribers 330


Total 755


Precinct 1-Number of stamps 164. Maturity value


$820


Precinct 2-Number of stamps 1963.


Maturity value 9,815


Precinct 3-Number of stamps 1887. Maturity value 9,435


Total 4014 $20,070


The organization for the town was as follows : Chairman for the town, Mr. W. F. Kelley ; captain Precinct 1, Miss May Pickard ; captain Precinct 2, Mrs. Louise L. Clark ; captain Pre- cinct 3, Miss Eleanor Weeks.


The above figures take no account of the Thrift Stamps that have been sold in town, as no records of these are kept. Only War Savings Stamps of a maturity value of five dollars each are reported.


Y. M. C. A. DRIVE


In the spring of 1917, a drive for the war work of the Young Men's Christian Association was conducted. The amount of about $1,000 was raised in the entire town. About $300 in Precinct 1, $100 in Precinct 2, and $600 in Precinct 3. The ex- act figures are not now available without considerable search, due to the fact that the treasurer of the committee is out of town. The chairman of the committee was Mr. Edgar H. Hall.


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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS


About fifty dollars was contributed for the work of this organization, the same being forwarded to the Marlboro Chapter.


THE UNITED WAR WORK CAMPAIGN


This work consisted of a drive to raise funds for num- erous organizations engaged in furnishing entertainment, in- struction and many other most desirable comforts to the sol- diers in the field and in camps. These organizations included : The Young Men's Christian Association, Young Woman's Christian Association, The Knights of Columbus, The Jewish Welfare Board, The War Camp Community Service, The Sal- vation Army, and The American Library Association. The funds realized from the drive were apportioned among these organizations according to the magnitude of their work. The quota for Acton was $3,000. It raised $3,061.89. The organi- zation of this work for the town was as follows : Bertram D. Hall, chairman for the town; George S. Tucker, Jr., captain Precinct 1; Lewis T. Willard, captain Precinct 2; R. Gates Baker, captain Precinct 3. Contributions were as follows : Number of contributors-Precinct 1, 173. Amount $814.00


Number of contributors-Precinct 2, 217. Amount 733.95


Number of contributors-Precinct 3, 237. Amount 763.94


Total


627 $2,311.89


The American Powder Company gave $2,000 from its Bos- ton office, of which $750 was credited to Acton.


FOOD ADMINISTRATION


The Food Administration in Acton did not become so se- rious a problem as in some communities. The people and the dealers in food stuffs were almost without exception anxious to aid to the fullest in the production, conservation and dis- tribution of food. There appears to be no data of the amount of food produced in town, but it is common knowledge that an amount greatly in excess of pre-war years was produced. In this respect many home gardens were conducted, which were un- utilized for that purpose formerly. Notice should not be passed over that a tract of land near Acton Center was given free use of by Mr. James B. Tuttle to be used as a boys' summer camp. This camp furnished much necessary labor to the farmers of this and adjoining towns, without which the food production of this locality would have been greatly reduced. A boys' and girls' contest was held for the production of the best half-acre of field corn. The food conservation activities were largely carried on through the agency of the Red Cross Branches, the Women's clubs and the local representatives of the Women's Council for National Defense .. A much larger amount than usual of food stuffs were canned, dried and preserved, thus


57


showing that the housewives of Acton are thrifty, as well as patriotic. Much literature was received and distributed, cal- culated to aid housewives in conserving food. Regulations re- specting food control were, in the main, handed down from na- tion, state and county authority. A flour inventory was taken in May, 1918. No hoarding was discovered. On the contrary the fact was disclosed that families were almost without excep- tion complying with the regulations and had very small quan- tities of flour on hand. The sugar situation became somewhat more difficult of regulation. It became necessary to place the town upon the card or coupon system for the distribution of sugar in order that honest consumers might receive the protec- tion their due as against the dishonest. The system was simi- lar to the one in use in many other towns. It was of short dura- tion and the people accommodated themselves to it in good spirit.


The Food Administration was in charge of Mr. Allen Brooks Parker, assisted by Miss Charlotte Conant, Mr. N. J. Cole, Mr. James B. Tuttle, and Mr. W. E. Whitcomb.


FUEL ADMINISTRATION


The Fuel Administration was in charge of Mr. Edgar H. Hall, Frank W. Hoit and James B. Tuttle. Their authority was entirely subject to State authorities. Their efforts were largely confined to trying to obtain coal in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of the people. In this particular they were fairly suc- cessful so far as South Acton was concerned, but without fault on their part there continued. a considerable shortage in the West District. With the approval of the State Fuel Adminis- trator the price was fixed for 1917, at $10.50 at the car for West and South Acton, and $11.00 delivered at the Center. For 1918, the price was $1.00 higher.


THE CHURCHES


The churches of the town have held gatherings, in which the pastors have kept before the people the critical issues of the great war and much of an instructive character has emin- ated from this source. It must not be overlooked, furthermore, that through the agency of the churches the people have been helped to seek the aid of All Mighty God in the prosecution of this war and His blessing in the success of those issues for which we were fighting, issues in which our fathers and fore- fathers were rewarded by the blessing of Him, who holds the destinies of the nations in the hollow of His hand. Thanks- giving services were held in the churches upon the signing of the armistice, for the hearts of the people rejoiced in His salvation.


ROSTER OF MEN IN THE SERVICE


It has been concluded by your committee that it is unwise to attempt to publish at this time a list of the Acton men in


58


the military and naval service of the country. Such a list at this time could hardly be expected to be complete, either in its personel or other desirable information relating to individual record and service. Another committee has been appointed for the collecting of this information and has already begun its work. Its report will be available for public record at some future time.


THE LUMBER UNIT


Early in the summer of 1917, numerous American Lumber Units were organized to assist the British Government in fur- nishing lumber for war purposes. Such a unit was organized in this locality and several Acton men joined it. It was sta- tioned at Ardgay, Scotland, and made a very creditable record in the speed and quantity of manufactured lumber that it turned out. Mr. Webster Blanchard was in charge of this unit. THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC


Early in the course of the great epidemic of inflenza your committee was asked by the State Board of Health to organize the town against a possible spread of the dead disease. The committee sought to avoid this work, as it properly belonged to the local Board of Health. However, after urgest request, a skeleton organization was effected, consisting of a district nurse, a district housekeeper, and the service of an automobile for each precinct. The local Board of Health was able to ade- quately deal with the situation and our organization performed no work.


CONCLUSION


Your committee recognizes that this report is a wholly in- adequate representation of the war activities of the people of the town. Much more might have been said of an interesting character. The work of its preparation has been a considerable task for all who have contributed to its substance and a limited space has determined its length.


In conclusion your committee thinks that the contribution which the people of Acton have made toward the winning of the great war has been a creditable one. Because of small population this contribution has been quickly lost in the great aggregate of the State and nation, but it has been typical of the spirit of the great American people.


There seems little doubt that the Imperial German Gov- ernment would not have precipitated the war had they ade- quately gauged the spirit of our people and their capacity for accomplishment.


FOR THE COMMITTEE,


Allen Brooks Parker, Chairman.


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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ACTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, 1918-1919


Luther Conant, President Delette H. Hall Mrs. Caroline L. Brown


E. Faulkner Conant, Secretary Frank Knowlton


George T. Ames J. S. White Horace F. Tuttle L. A. Hesselton


The service of the Acton Memorial Library has pursued the even tenor of its way the past year with the average de- mand for books. That the call is less than we would have it, goes without saying. The reasons for this have been discussed in recent reports which we need not repeat.


The vacancies in the Board of Trustees were filled at a special meeting called for the purpose. Mrs. Caroline L. Brown was chosen to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Moses Taylor and Mr. George T. Ames, a soldier of the Union, to take Mr. Hiram Hapgood's place. The choice of both was unanimous.


The library has been fortunate in the gifts received the past year. Mrs. Caroline L. Brown donated a life size oil por- trait of Daniel Webster, suitably framed. Governor Long said of Webster : "Our mightest intellect, our greatest statesman and our most renowned and powerful orator." The Webster portrait is hung at the left entrance to the reading room. A visitor, standing under the mantle would see on his right the marble semblance of Washington, on the other cor- ned the one of Lincoln, both by the eminent sculptor, Thomas Ball, and on the opposite wall the portrait of Webster, three great Americans.


The grave has just been closed over the lifeless form of one, who by his intense patriotism, his virile Americanism may well be named with illustrious Americans.


We have received from Miss Ellen A. Kimball of Little- ton a copy, four quarto volumes, richly bound in leather, of "The Memorial History of Boston," from the settlement in 1630 to 1880, two hundred and fifty years, a symposium by many prominent authors.


Before closing we cannot refrain from expressing our thanks to the many brave sons of Acton, who in this, one of the greatest eras of the world's history, have gone wherever duty called, whether in the trenches on the battlefields of France, upon the high seas, in the mountains of Scotland, for the Red


60


Cross or the Y. M. C. A. And last but not least to the noble women of Acton who have given so freely of their time and labor, to ameliorate the conditions of their sons and brothers in the service, not forgetting those who have gone abroad, real angels of mercy to care for the sick and wounded without regard to race or color.


We ask the town to vote the same appropriation, $200.00 for new books and $450.00 for current expenses as in years past.


Respectfully submitted, LUTHER CONANT, For the Tustees.


LIBRARIAN'S REPORT


Accessions : Number of volumes in the library January 1, 1918, 13,411. Increase by purchase 317, of which 25 were ob- tained by binding magazines. Increase by gift 49. Total in- crease 366. Number of volumes in the library Jan. 1, 1919, 13,777.


Circulation : Number of days library was opened 100. Number of volumes circulated 8,850. Daily average circula- tion 881/2. Largest daily circulation 138, on June 15th. Small- est daily circulation 43 on April 3.


Received from fines $30.75


Expended for postage


.75


$30.00


Gifts of books have been received from the following sources : U. S. Government 5; State of Massachusetts 21; Mrs. J. M. Brown 4; E. Carbonnel 1; Carnegie Endowment 1; Mrs. E. S. Fobes 4; Mrs. E. P. Gates 1; Miss Ellen Kim- ball 4; Harold R. Phalen 1; Benj. Pope 5; New Church 1; Security League 1.


ARTHUR F. DAVIS,


Librarian.


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BOOKS ADDED TO THE ACTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY


IN 1918


NON-FICTION


Aldrich, A .- A hilltop on the Marne 940-A365h


Andrews, R. C. and Y. B .- Camps and trails in China


915.1-A569c


Anon-Drawings by Rembrandt


74-A1001


Anon-Wounded and a prisoner of war


940-A100w


Anon-Out of their mouths


940-A1000


Anon-Our first half million


940-A100ou


Auguecheek-My unknown chum


81-A922m


Avebury-The scenery of England


55-A948s


Barbusse, H .- Under Fire


940-B241u


Beith, I. H .- The first hundred thousand


940-B422f


Beith, I. H .- All in it; K 1 carries on


940-B422a


Bigelow, J .- The Bible that was lost and is found 22-B592b


Boardman, M. T .- Under the Red Cross flag at home and abroad 61-B662u


Bott, A .- Cavalry of the Clouds


940-B751c


Breasted, J. H .- Ancient times, a history of the early world


930-B828a


Breshkorsky, C .- The little grandmother of the Russian revolution 928-B842b


Bruce, C. G .- Kashmir


.915.4-B886k


Bryan, J. H .- Ambulance 464


940-B915a


Canfield, W. W .- The legends of the Iroquois


39-C2221


Calton, M. A .- The small grains 63-C284s


Cary, E. L .- Honore Daumier 74-C332h


Cary, E. L .- The works of James McNeil Whistler


75-C332w


Castle, V .- Modern dancing


79-C353m


Cheradame, A .- The United States and Pangermania


940-C521u


Clark, A. T .- To Bagdad with the British


940-C592t


Clarke, G. H. (Ed)-A treasury of war poetry


940-C598t


Clarke, H. A .- Hawthorne's country


917.3-C598h


Clemenceau, G .- South America today 918-C625s


Coburn, F. W .- Fiction and truth about the battle on Lex- ington Common 973.3-C658f


Coburn, F. W .- The battle of April 19, 1775


973.3-C658b


Collins, A. F .- How to fly


62-C712h


Collins, A. F .- Keeping up with your motor car 62-C712k


Coolidge, W. A. B .- The Alps in nature and history 914-C774a Croiset, A .- An abridged history of Greek literature 88-C942a


·


.


62


Curran, W. T .- In Canada's wonderful northland 917.1-C976i Cussans, J. E .- Handbook of Heraldry 929-C984h


Davidson, J. B .- Agricultural engineering 63-D252a


Davis, A. N .- The Kaiser as I know him 940-D261k


Davis, O. S .- Using the Bible in public address 20-D263u


Dawson, C .- Carry on, letters in war time


940-D272c


Depew, A .- Gunner Depew


940-D419g


Dugmore, A. R .- The romance of the beaver


59-D866r


Emerson, E. W .- Henry Thoreau as remembered by a young friend 922-T488e


Empey, A. G .- Over the top


940-E550


Empey, A. G .- First call


940-E55f


Falt, C. M .- Wharf and fleet


81-F197w


Ferris, R .- How it flies 62-F394h


Fisher, H. A. L .- The republican tradition in Europe 32-F533r


Fitzgerald, E. A .- The highest Andes 918-F553h


Fletcher, A. C. B .- From job to job around the world


910-F612f


Fox, F .-- The British empire 910-F791b 81-F939m


Frost, R .- Mountain interval


Gay, C. W .- The principles and practice of judging live stock 63-G285p


Gerard, J. W .- Face to face with Kaiserism 940-G356f Goltz, H .- My adventures as a German secret agent 940-G629m Grimshaw, B .- Fiji and its possibilities 919.6-G864f Gwynne, P .- Along Spain's river of romance, the Guadal- quivir 914.6-G995a


Haigh, R .- Life in a tank 940-H1491


Hall, B .- "En l'air !" (in the air)


940-H174e


Hamerton, P. G .- Painting in France after the decline of classicism 75-H215p


Hankey, D. W. A .- A student in arms


940-H241s


Hankey, D. W. A .- A student in arms (second series)


940-H241s2


Harvey, W. J .- Denmark and the Danes 914.8-H342d


Henderson, T. E .- The Auld Ayrshire of Robert Burns


914.1-H497a


Henderson, W. J .- The elements of navigation 52-H497e


Hodges, G .- The early church from Ignatius to Augustus


20-H688ea


Holmes, R. D .- A Yankee in the trenches 940-H749y 918-H737t


Holland, W. J .- To the river Platte and back Howe, M. A. D .- The life and letters of George Bancroft, 2 vols. 922-B213h


Jackson, H .- Rambles in the Pyrenees and the adjacent districts 914.4-J12r


James, G. W .- Arizona the wonderland 917.3-J27a


Jameson, J. M .- Elementary practical mechanics 53-J31e


63


Jerrold, W .- The Danube 914-J55d


Johnson, C .- Old time schools and school books


973.2-J6650


Jonson, B .- Dramas 82-J81d


Keene, S .- Eat to live 64-K26e


Kelley, R. T .- Egypt


916.2-K29e


Keppel, F .- The golden age of engraving


76-K38g


King, F. H .- A textbook of the Physics of Agriculture


Lauder, H .- A minstrel in France


Liddle, W .- Sweden


63-K52t 940-L368m 914.8-L712s 64-L736b


Lincoln, M. J .- Boston cook book


Lindsay, V .- The art of the moving picture 77-L753a


Lintier, P .- My '75 reminiscences of a gunner 940-L761m


Mathews, F. S .- The writing table of the twentieth cen- tury 929-M438w


Mills, E. A .- The Rocky Mountain wonderland


Mills, E. A .- Your National Parks


Morris, C .- The life of a star


Mortane, J .- Guynemer, the ace of aces


Muir, J .- A thousand mile walk to the Gulf 917.3-M953th


Murphy, C. J .- American Indian corn, 150 ways to pre- pare and cook it 64-M978a Myrick, H .- The book of corn 63-M998h 917.3-N397r


Neihardt, J. G .- The river and I


Nelson, G. N .- Income tax law and accounting


33-N426i


Nobbs, G .- On the right of the British line


940-N7440


O'Brien, P .- Outwitting the Hun 940-0130


Owen, M. B .- The secret of typewriting speed 65-097s


Page, V. W .- Aviation engines


62-P132a


Paine, R. D .- The fighting fleets


940-P146f


Pearson, G .- The escape of a Princess Pat 940-P361e


940-P4630


Pinkerton, R. D .- "Ladies from Hell" 940-P6551


Quick, H .- American inland waterways 38-Q6a


Richard, T .- Forty-five years in China 924-R513r


Rihbany, A. M .- Militant America and Jesus Christ 20-R472m Roe, A. S .- History of the first regiment of heavy artillery,


Rostand, E .- Cyrano de Bergerac


Schelema, J. F .- Java


Seitz, D. C .- Training for the newspaper trade


Sell, M. A .- Good taste in home furnishing 64-S467g


Shaw, V .- Encyclopedia of the stable 63-S536e


Smith, F. H .- Outdoor sketching 75-S6470


Smith, W. C .- How to grow 100 bushels of corn per acre on worn soil


63-S664h


Strong, T. G .- Joseph H. Choate


922-C545s


Sulzer, W .- Short speeches


81-S954s


917.3-M657r 917.3-M657y 922-M875m 940-M887g


Perry, L .- Our navy in the war


Mass. Volunteers, 1861-1865 973.7-R698h 84-R839c 919.2-S322j 07-S462t


64


Sweetser, M. F .- A guide to the White Mountains 917.3-S974g Talbot, F. A .- The Canadian Pacific railway 917.1-T138c Thrasher, M. B .- Tuskegee, its story and its work 37-T529t Tinayre, M .- To arms 940-T587t




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